They have a tight-fitting lid, come in different sizes, are portable and some even have a wide-grip handle. Their durability makes them a smarter choice than glass jars for many storage solutions.

The first reader shares one way to reuse coffee cans:

This summer I was wondering what to do with all of my plastic coffee cans, and I came up with a solution. Wash them well and use them to send soups and leftovers home with grandkids. You don’t have to worry about getting the containers back.

Reuse tires: Other than chipping them up as fake mulch, tires don’t have much recycle potential. They do have reuse potential, though.

Many a tractor and truck tire has been turned into a flowerbed. They can be stacked and then backfilled/covered to make a retaining wall. Use one as a swing or sandbox.

They’re good for many types of sports and sports training. Hang one by a rope to practice throwing a baseball or football through. Place a pole in the middle and fill with concrete for portable volleyball nets.

My granddad would put a target in the middle of a tire and then roll it across the field for target practice. They can be used as “bumpers” to soften hard edges like loading docks.

— Chris, Alabama

Deter mice: We have seen fewer mice and less mouse activity since using mint oil on cotton balls at the entrances where we thought they were sneaking in at our cabin.

— Cheryl, Ohio

Check receipts: After being charged full price for a sale item, I now step away from the register and check my receipt while I’m still in the store. When your purchases are being rung up as you’re putting them on the belt, it’s hard to watch the prices. Take the time to look over your receipt.

— Ali, Indiana

Regrow green onions: The next time you buy some green onions, don’t throw away the root; just put it in some water and it will regrow. Do this with a few dozen and you will have an endless supply.

— Niko, Florida

Egg salad: I saw your deviled-eggs-with-avocado recipe and wanted to share that I make egg-salad sandwiches with avocado now. Instead of adding mayo, I add some avocado, a little lemon juice and Greek yogurt to the mix. Or you can keep the mayo and not use the yogurt. Either way, it’s delicious.

— Linda, Illinois

Ask Sara

Dear Sara: I have tried cleaning my stainless-steel sink with vinegar and with baking soda, but neither worked. Do you have any other suggestions?

— Jim T., e-mail

Dear Jim T.: Try salt and lemon. I use regular liquid dishwashing detergent with baking soda, washing soda or Borax and a bristled dish brush to scrub. For shine, use furniture polish, baby oil or lemon oil, or wipe down with Windex. You might like the results from using Bon Ami or Bar Keepers Friend, too.

Dear Sara: Could you please share the recipe for homemade laundry soap?

— Shawn R., e-mail

Dear Shawn: My website has a lot of laundry-soap recipes. Here’s one that includes Gain detergent, shared by Cricket in Texas:

1 large plastic cat-litter tub

2 boxes Borax

2 boxes washing soda

8 pounds baking soda

6 bars Fels-Naptha soap, fine-ground in food processor, or use a grater

I would stir in some of each and continue in layers as it fills the tub and gets hard to mix. I ended up using my hands. I put some into the Purex bottle and use the little cap to measure out about 2 tablespoons. It should last the year.

I use it in my HE Whirlpool and am very happy with it. It costs $30-$35, which is about 10 cents a load.

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